Really simple! A few little crab apples and a candle on a shelf or a table..

This kind of decorating - in the American sense of the word - I love!

The kind that involves emulsion and rollers and stepladders I'm not so keen on. Here in UK we talk about DIY (do it yourself). I'm not so keen on that either I have to admit.

A chimney leak in one bedroom, a burst pipe in the loft above the other and insulation which involved cutting holes in the bedroom walls all impacted on what were nicely decorated rooms, and now that most of the clutter which does provide a distraction, is gone, I am noticing the worn paint and the chips and marks.

Laura when aged about 13 once told me I had 'an attitude problem'. It still makes me laugh (she happened to be right!).

I love decorating in the American sense of the word too!
A couple of thoughts... One is that your home has the potential to be your biggest artwork, one you can live in and enjoy all the time. Maybe you could approach it as an opportunity to do something a bit different, not just covering over one lot of emulsion with another, but a chance to create artistic impact, to turn the spaces into somewhere really beautiful to honour the wonderful place you live and to showcase the possessions you've decided to keep that bring you so much joy. Browsing Google images or Pinterest for inspiration can sometimes help with motivation.
Alternatively, you could get creative in a different way and ask family/friends for some help with decorating instead of Christmas presents, or lend your home to good friends while you are in Venice in exchange for decorating a couple of rooms?
(On a very practical note, I've found that using paint pads instead of rollers can be just as quick and a lot less messy!)

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ChompyChipmunk

8/10/2015 04:32:43 am

Along those lines, you could have a paint party -- a bit like the idea of the Amish get-togethers to build a barn as depicted in the movie "Witness". The key would be to tape all the borders well beforehand and cover the floors with plastic, and provide a brief tutorial on technique. It could be a fun way to get the bulk of the painting job done.

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julia

8/10/2015 05:03:06 am

lotta and chompy chipmunk, i love your ideas! here's another, freda....perhaps you could barter help with you decorating work for your advice on garden design? or pieces of your art?

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Freda

8/10/2015 02:15:25 pm

Thank you all for your creative ideas! I do believe I can feel the faint stirrings of some enthusiasm....